Instead, the Republican governor — an avid sports fan — predicted who he thinks will win when New Jersey hosts the Super Bowl for the first time Sunday.

He's going with the Denver Broncos over the Seattle Seahawks.

"I think it's going to be a close game and a good game," Christie said during a telephone interview on Angelo Cataldi's morning sports-talk show on 94WIP. "And I think Seattle will give them every ounce of effort they can. In the end, I like (Broncos quarterback Peyton) Manning and (running back Knowshon) Moreno. I think that's a great combination, and then you add those four receivers. I think it's going to be very, very tough for Seattle to cover that offense all over the field.

"And Denver's defense — I mean, I was surprised at how well they played against New England, and I think that Seattle's offense has not been hitting on all cylinders the second half of the season. I think it's going to be a close game. I'm thinking like 24-21, somewhere in that range, but I think Denver wins."

As for whether this will be the last time a cold-weather area hosts football's biggest game? Christie said he does see it happening again.

"I think that what they're going to see, what they've seen this week, and what they're going to see on Sunday, is there's absolutely no reason that football can be play in this type of weather in November, in December, and early and mid January, but somehow can't be played in the first week of February," he said. "Other cities — places like Boston and Chicago for instance — are major cities that have a lot to offer and could put on a wonderful experience for the fans and the teams for the Super Bowl. We're happy to be the guinea pigs."

The hosts of the show told Philly.com that rules were set and Christie wouldn't be answering questions about the scandals — just about sports.

Christie also defended his fandom for his favorite team: the Dallas Cowboys.

"You want me to change like every other politician?" he said. "I understand Eagles fans and Giants fans in my state are not particularly happy with me."

Christie will give another radio interview Frida7 at 7:20 a.m. on "The Boomer and Carton Show" on WFAN 660-AM sports-talk radio — a show he's appeared on before.

TV legend Larry King tweeted a picture of Christie today making a surprise appearance at a Friar's Club roast of one of the show's hosts: former Jets quarterback Boomer Esiason.